What English course should I take to fulfill the university’s written communication learning outcome, based on my ACT, SAT, AP, or IB score? (If you have been accepted to the honors program, please contact them for placement information.)

ACT English Scores

31-36

Exempt from completion of the first three hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in English 105.

27-30

Exempt from completion of the first three hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in English 102.

00-26

Required to complete 6 hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in ENGL 101.

New SAT Evidence Based Reading &Writing Scores

700-800

Exempt from completion of the first three hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in English 105.

650-690

Exempt from completion of the first three hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in English 102.

0-640

Required to complete 6 hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in ENGL 101.

Advanced Placement: Literature & Comp. // Language and Comp.

AP 4 & 5

Exempt from completion of the 6 hours of the written communication learning outcome (credit for two courses).

AP 3

Exempt from completion of the first 3 hours of the written communication learning outcome (credit for one course). Enroll in ENGL 102.

AP 2 or below

Required to complete 6 hours of the written communication learning outcome. Enroll in ENGL 101.

International Baccalaureate Scores

IB 6 or 7

Exempt from completion of the 6 hour written communication learning outcome (credit for two courses).

IB 5

Exempt from completion of the first 3 hours of the written communication outcome (credit for one course). Enroll in ENGL 102.

Placement in English courses is determined by the scores on ACT, SAT, AP, or IB. Students earning a grade of A in ENGL 101, are eligible to petition for honors placement [link to “Honors Placement” tab]. A successful petition admits the student to ENGL 105. If students earn a grade of A in ENGL 102, they are eligible to petition for honors placement. A successful petition admits the student to ENGL 205.​

How can I find out if a course I want to take while studying abroad will fulfill my English requirements at KU?

If the requirement you want the course to fulfill is a written communication requirement (the equivalent of ENGL 101, 102, or 200-level), you should contact Dr. Lancaster, sonyal@ku.edu, the Associate Director of First- and Second-year English. If you want the course to fulfill a humanities requirement or to be the equivalent of a 300-level-or-above English course, you should contact Dr. Mary Klayder, mklayder@ku.edu, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of English.

What is the English Department’s attendance policy?

As a general rule, students perform best in classes they attend regularly. This guideline is especially relevant for the required English courses because of the written work, discussion of various rhetorical principles, and peer review done in class. Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings of their class, including those directly before and after vacation periods). According to University policy, (University Senate Rules and Regulations) students may be exempt from required class activities at times of mandated religious observances. Students with a verifiable medical crisis (their own or that of a relative or friend) may be excused from being present for scheduled examinations and in-class papers. Students must follow the attendance policy outlined in the instructor’s syllabus.

What should I do if I am having a problem with my teacher?

First, it is extremely important that you discuss this problem with your teacher as soon as possible: either stop by during your teacher's office hours or, if those times are not convenient for you, make an appointment with your teacher to see them at another time. During that meeting, explain your problem or concern to the teacher and ask them for feedback on the situation. Frequently, students and teachers find that they can resolve problems in this way.

If you've already met with your teacher and the two of you have not managed to generate a workable solution to the situation, you may make an appointment with Dr. Reiff (mjreiff@ku.edu) the Director of First- and Second-year English or Dr. Lancaster, (sonyal@ku.edu) the Associate Director, to further discuss the situation. At that meeting, you will present your understanding of the situation and describe what steps you've taken to resolve it (such as meeting with the teacher). They will talk with you about what next steps might be taken.

What should I do if I want to appeal my grade?

Students who feel that a teacher has not assigned a course grade fairly should appeal to the Director of First- and Second-year English, who will mediate the case. Dr. Lancaster, sonyal@ku.edu, the Associate Director of First- and Second-year English, can answer student questions about documentation and the process of the appeal. For a grade appeal to be accepted, the student must make a case that the instructor did not adhere to his or her announced standards, that is, that the student was not treated fairly by the instructor’s standards.

1. No appeals will be considered for single papers or quizzes. ONLY the course grade may be appealed.
2. The student must try to resolve semester grade conflicts with the instructor first.
3. If the student and the teacher cannot resolve the conflict, the student may appeal to the FSE Director with the following materials:

a. all written work for the semester along with the original assignments
b. a statement in writing describing in what way the instructor deviated from announced or published standards.

If a student decides to go forward with the appeal after talking to the Director, the Chair of the English Department will appoint a three-person committee to hear it. If the hearing sustains the instructor's original grade, the student may then appeal to the Judicial Board.

If the Departmental hearing sustains the student's appeal, the three-person committee will review the student's work, consult with the instructor, and assign a course grade. The instructor and the student will be informed of their right to appeal to the Judicial Board.

If the Judicial Board sustains the student's appeal, the three-person committee will, in accordance with University Senate Rules and Regulations 2.3.5.3, assign the course grade for the student. If the Board sustains the instructor's appeal, the instructor will assign the course grade.